36. Corvus

36

CORVUS

The Blood Bar is in half-light, the air thick with the scent of copper and iron. I slide onto a stool at the counter, my fingers drumming an impatient rhythm on the polished wood. It's been a long night, and all I want is a glass of the good stuff to take the edge off.

Grim, the bartender, approaches with his usual, well, grim expression. He shakes his head, a flicker of apology crossing his features. "No human blood tonight. Staff did a sweep for the start of the term. It's synthetic or nothing."

I groan, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "You're kidding me, right? Please tell me you're kidding."

Grim just shrugs, his shoulders rising and falling like the movement of ancient machinery. "Wish I was. Rules are rules, though. Even for a Sanguine. Give it a week, and they'll forget all about it again."

For a moment, I consider leaving. The thought of synthetic blood turns my stomach. I have tried it because Adelaide is drinking it. It's not pleasant, but the thirst is gnawing at me, and I know I can't ignore it for long. "Fine," I mutter. "Give me the synthetic shit."

Grim nods, turning to prepare my drink. As he does, I let my gaze wander around the bar. It's relatively quiet tonight, just a few other vampires scattered about, nursing their glasses of synthetic blood. The start of term always brings a certain tension to the air, a mix of excitement and apprehension that even we immortals aren't immune to.

My thoughts drift to Adelaide, as they often do these days. The memory of our kiss in the corridor after the lecture sends a thrill through me. The way she looked at me, her eyes wide with surprise and something deeper, more primal is enough to make my cock hard,

"Here you go," Grim says, sliding a glass of dark red liquid in front of me.

I take a reluctant sip, grimacing at the artificial taste. It's terrible, a far cry from the real thing. Still, it takes the edge off the thirst, and for that, I'm grateful.

As I'm nursing my drink, the door to the bar swings open. I don't need to turn around to know who it is - I can sense their presence, as familiar to me now as my own shadow. Ignatius, Zaiah, and Zephyr make their way over, pulling up stools beside me.

"Corvus," Zaiah greets me, his voice low and serious. The tension in his posture sets me on edge immediately. "We need to talk."

I raise an eyebrow, taking another sip of my synthetic blood. "What about?"

"Adelaide," Zephyr cuts in. "And something else."

Ignatius leans in, looking serious as all fuck, which is the one thing that makes me pay attention. The other two can be drama queens, but Ig is a take-it-as-it-comes kind of guy. "Zaiah has sensed something. Something dark."

I set my glass down, all thoughts of my unsatisfactory drink forgotten. "Something dark? Like what?"

Zaiah shakes his head, his frustration clear. "I don't know exactly. But I know it has something to do with Adelaide. There's a shadow looming over her future, a threat we can't yet see."

A growl builds in my throat, low and dangerous. The thought of Adelaide in danger brings out a fierce protectiveness that makes me want to kill. The synthetic blood in my glass sits forgotten as Zaiah's words send a chill down my spine.

"It's like a shadow," Zaiah murmurs, his eyes unfocused, seeing something beyond the dimly lit bar. "A darkness creeping at the edges of my dreams. I've never felt anything quite like it before."

Zephyr's fingers drum an impatient rhythm on the bar. "Can you be more specific? What kind of danger are we talking about here?"

Zaiah shakes his head. "That's just it. It's not clear. Sometimes I see fire, consuming everything in its path. Other times, it's a flood of darkness, drowning out all light. But always, at the centre of it all, I see Adelaide."

"Is she the cause or the target?" Ignatius asks, his tone harder, more serious than usual.

"Both, perhaps," Zaiah replies, his voice barely above a whisper. "Or neither. It's as if she's a focal point. A nexus where all these dark forces are converging."

I feel a growl building in my chest, my fangs itching to descend. "And you're sure about this? It's not just some djinn hunch?"

Zaiah's eyes snap to mine, blazing with an inner fire. "Fuck you. This is real. And it's coming, whether we're ready or not."

"Then we'll make sure we're ready," Zephyr interjects. "We'll train her, protect her."

I nod, my mind already racing with plans. "We need to tell her?—"

"No," Zaiah cuts me off. "Not yet. She's only just beginning to understand her powers. If we tell her about this now, it could overwhelm her, maybe even push her towards the darkness we're trying to protect her from."

A tense silence falls over our group. I can see the weight of this knowledge settling on each of us.

Finally, Ignatius breaks the quiet. "So, what do we do?"

I lean back, the decision already made. "We watch. We wait, and we make damn sure that whatever's coming, Adelaide's ready for it."

The others nod in agreement, and as we continue to discuss strategy in hushed tones, I can't shake the feeling that this is just the beginning of something much bigger than any of us could have imagined.

Zephyr nods. "She has power, more than she knows. I've felt it. We need to help her tap further into it."

He's felt it? That sends a pang of envy through me. I've tasted her power in her blood, but it's not enough to get a real gauge of it. Zephyr makes it sound like he knows exactly what she is capable of.

"I can work with her on her elemental magick," Ignatius offers. "She showed real potential in class today."

"What?" Zephyr says with a fierce frown. "She doesn't have elemental magick."

"She does, I saw it."

"No," he says, shaking his head. "That's not possible…" He trails off and chews his lip in an oddly nervous gesture for the cool Dark Fae prince.

"What are you thinking?" I ask.

He gestures that we leave the bar, and we follow him outside to huddle around in the oddly cold night. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and now I totally believe that Zaiah is onto something. This isn't natural. It is supernatural, one hundred per cent.

"I'm sure we've all figured out by now what she is," Zephyr whispers.

I nod, and so do the other two.

"So you know that it's rumoured her kind can amplify powers, yes?"

"What of it?" I murmur.

"She amplified mine so we could win the scavenger hunt. It was… fuck… I've never felt anything like it."

"What's that got to do with elemental magick?" I snap, getting annoyed at the awed look on his face.

"Vampires can't do elemental magick," he snaps back. "Can you?"

I shake my head. "No…" A thought is forming in my mind, and I gulp back the concern that has burst in my chest. "Fuck."

"Yeah."

"Will you two stop with the cryptic," Ig growls. "She created fire. I saw it."

"From you. She took your power and used it," I state.

Zephyr nods in agreement.

Ig frowns and shakes his head. "No, that's not possible…"

"Pretty sure it is," Zephyr says. "We don't know much about her kind. We know practically nothing, and the others that exist right now, apart from her, are weaker. Randall Black sired her. That in itself is monumental."

"Fuck," Ig says, his shoulder slumping. "I mean… fuck."

"Precisely. If she doesn't know she can do this, which I'm going out on a limb to say she doesn't, that makes her?—"

"Dangerous."

"Yep."

"Fuck," Zaiah says, who has been quiet while we discussed this. "That means I'm right in saying she is the nexus."

"But the nexus to what exactly?" I murmur.

"That's what we need to find out," he replies.

The memory of Adelaide's power during our practical earlier sends an icy snake of discomfort slithering over my soul. She'd been magnificent but terrifying in her raw potential.

"I'll take the first watch," I volunteer as our meeting winds down. "We can keep an eye on her. Lucian and Asher are up to something, and that just makes this even more dodgy for her."

"About them," Ig starts and then blushes. "They saw us kissing in the dining hall earlier."

I blink, and then smirk. "Go you. She is a great kisser."

"She is," Zephyr murmurs.

"Mm," Zaiah comments, and I chuckle.

It's strange, this unspoken agreement we have about Adelaide Black. We're so different, each with our own agenda, our own feelings for Adelaide. But in this, we're united. We all want her, and we will all get her. It's just a matter of time before she knows she can't escape us. It's fate. There is no other word for it, no other explanation.

The others nod their agreement, and we part ways, each lost in our thoughts. I take a deep breath, letting the scents of the academy wash over me. Adelaide is going about her night, blissfully unaware of the forces gathering around her. The urge to go to her, to see her with my own eyes, is almost overwhelming.

With a thought, I shift forms, my body shrinking and changing until I'm no longer a man, but a bat. My wings catch the night air, and I soar upwards, circling Adelaide's tower. The lights are on in her room, and through the window, I can see her moving about.

As I watch, she pauses, her gaze turning towards the window. For a moment, our eyes meet, and I see recognition flicker across her face. To my surprise, she moves to the window, opening it wide.

"Corvus?" she calls softly. "Is that you?"

I hesitate for a moment, then swoop down, landing gracefully on her windowsill. With another thought, I shift back to my human form, perched precariously on the narrow ledge.

"Hey," I say, trying for casual and probably missing by a mile. "Lovely night for a fly, isn't it?"

She raises an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Can't say I'd know."

"Do you want to see if you can?" I jump on that as a way to spend more time with her, teaching her, protecting her.

She steps aside, and I leap into her room. "Do you really think I can?"

"Don't see why not. But we won't know unless you try."

"Good point."

The memory of our kiss in the corridor flashes through my mind, and I have to resist the urge to pull her close and claim her lips again.

"So," she says, crossing her arms over her chest. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this late-night visit apart from offers to turn me into a bat?"

I hesitate, unsure how much to reveal. The last thing I want is to frighten her, but she deserves to know that she might be in danger. "I wanted to check on you," I say finally. "After what happened with Asher, I was worried. Also, Ig mentioned about Asher and Lucian seeing you earlier."

She raises an eyebrow. "Oh? And how do you feel about that?"

Her question takes me aback. "I'm happy that you two are getting closer. We are all connected, Adelaide. You can feel it. I know you can." Reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, the simple touch sends a jolt of electricity through me.

For a moment, we stand there, caught in each other's gaze. The air between us is charged, heavy with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires. Then, slowly, Adelaide leans in, her lips brushing against mine in a soft, tentative kiss.

It's nothing like our kiss in the corridor. That had been all fire and passion, a public claiming. This is something else entirely. It's gentle, exploratory, filled with a tenderness that takes my breath away.

When we finally part, Adelaide's cheeks are flushed, her eyes bright. "I've been wanting to do that again," she admits, a shy smile playing on her lips.

"So have I," I confess, my hand cupping her cheek. "And so much more."

"I want that too," she murmurs, lowering her gaze before she pulls her tee off. Her skin is paler than before, which shows her vampire side emerging in force. She is stunning in every sense of the word.

"You're beautiful, Adelaide."

"Addy," she mutters. "Call me Addy."

I smile and bend down to kiss her again, wanting to bite her, ravage her. My fangs drop and slice into her lips and tongue. She gasps but doesn't stop. If anything, it deepens the kiss, and my cock bounces to attention, pressing painfully against my pants.

"Addy," I growl and pick her up, slamming her against the wall of her room.

"Ah!" she cries out as my claws rip her bra away, marking her skin, drawing blood. I bend down to lick it away, and she moans, her head falling back against the wall. I trail kisses down her neck, savouring the taste of her blood, and she writhes in my arms.

"Corvus," she whispers, her voice breathy and needy. "Please."

I hear the desire in her voice, and I can't resist any longer. I flick open her jeans and lower her to the floor. She looks up at me with those big, dark eyes, and it's more than I can take. I drop to my knees and pull her jeans down. Taking off her boots and socks first, I then run my hands up her outer thighs. My fingers hook into her knickers, and I slice the sides away. I breathe in deeply but pause when I sense she has stopped bleeding.

Retracting my fangs and claws, I thrust two fingers deep inside her pussy, making her cry out in surprise and pleasure. She's so wet and warm, her pussy clenching around my fingers as I move them in and out. She is throbbing against my hand, her hips bucking as she tries to get closer.

"Corvus," she gasps, her nails digging into my neck.

I rise so I can kiss her again. I can taste her blood on her lips, and it only makes me hungrier for her.

"You taste so good," I growl, my voice low and rough. "I want more."

I add a third finger, stretching her wider as I twist them inside her, hitting that spot that makes her moan even louder. I can feel her getting closer, her body tensing as she starts to shake.

"Come for me, Addy," I whisper against her lips, my thumb finding her clit and rubbing circles around it. "Be a good girl for me and come all over my hand."

With a cry, she does, her orgasm washing over her in waves as she clings to me. I keep my fingers inside her, feeling her pulse around me as she climaxes hard.

"Fuck," she breathes, her eyes closed as she leans against me. "More. Corvus. I need all of you."

With a low growl, I unzip my pants and let them fall around my ankles. She reaches up and shoves my jacket from my shoulders, gripping the sides of my shirt and ripping it open with more strength than I've seen from her yet.

It makes my cock bounce.

"Fuck, yes, baby girl." I groan as I thrust my cock deep inside her in one swift motion. She's so tight, so wet, and she feels incredible. I grip her hips, pulling her closer as I thrust deep and hard.

Her nails dig into my back, her legs wrapped tightly around my waist as she moans my name. "Corvus, yes. Harder."

My movements become more frantic as I lose myself in the feel of her. She's so perfect, so beautiful, so fragile, and I never want this to end. I can feel myself getting closer, my orgasm building as I pound into her harder and faster.

"I want to feel you come on my cock when I bite into you, feed from you."

"Yes," she whispers, her voice strained with pleasure. "Bite me, Corvus. I want to feel you taking my blood."

I don't need anything else but that. I lean in, my fangs sinking into the soft flesh of her neck as I thrust even deeper into her. She screams, her body trembling as she comes apart in my arms when I suckle on her vein. The taste of her blood is sweet and intoxicating. It fills my mouth as I drink from her, my cock pulsing with release as I feel her orgasm around me. I groan, my hips jerking as I come inside her, filling her with my cum.

With my fangs still buried in her neck, her body pressed against mine, I swallow, drinking more than I should but unable to pull back.

"Corvus," she pants, and I force myself to withdraw, licking the wound to seal it. Adelaide's eyes are wide, her breathing ragged.

"Are you okay?" I murmur, gently pushing her hair back from her face.

"Yes," she murmurs, her voice husky. "Are you?"

I chuckle. "You have no idea, and never worry about me, baby girl. I've got you, not the other way around."

She stares into my eyes for a moment before she closes her eyes and leans back against the wall. My cock is still inside her, growing stiff again already.

She giggles. "Is that a vampire thing?"

"Most supes," I laugh back. "But vamps are extra speedy."

"Not complaining. I need more of you."

I grin, my fangs still out as I lean in to nip at her earlobe.

I move again, slower this time, savouring the feeling of her wrapped around me. She moans, her head falling back against the wall as I thrust into her. Her hips rise to meet mine, her body responding to me.

"You're so perfect," I whisper, my lips brushing against her neck. "I could do this forever."

"I want you to," she gasps. "I never want this to end."

"Don't worry, baby girl. I'm not going anywhere."

The bond between us tightens. I can feel her emotions and desires, and it only makes me want her more.

"Corvus," she whispers, her voice filled with need.

I growl and pull away from the wall, staggering to the bed when I let her go to remove the rest of my clothes. Her legs are open for me, and I drop onto her, my cock returning to her warmth as I thrust inside her sweet pussy.

"Can you bite me back, baby girl?"

Her eyes snap open, and she nods. "I can try."

"Do you want to?"

"Yes. But I don't know if I can."

"Bite me with your teeth first. The rest will come. It's natural for you."

She nods and presses her mouth to my neck.

I groan as I thrust deeper into her, feeling her body respond to me. She bites down harder, and I hiss as I feel the sting of her teeth piercing my flesh. She hesitates, but I encourage her to keep going. "That's it, baby girl. Bite me harder." I whisper in her ear, my voice low and husky. She does as I say, and I feel her teeth sink deeper into my skin. It's a strange sensation, but it's also incredibly erotic.

I can feel my orgasm building again. I press down on her hips as I slam into her. "Feed from me, Addy."

She moans and suckles, her body trembling uncontrollably under me. It must be when my blood hits her tongue, her fangs descend, and I feel them slicing into my vein. I groan, and my cock explodes cum inside her as she drinks from me. I'm rock hard again instantly, needing every second of this time with her to count.

The room spins as Addy's bite heightens every sensation, every touch. I can feel her pulse, her heartbeat in sync with mine as we become one. Her nails scrape down my back, drawing blood.

She releases me, her eyes wild with lust and something more feral than I've ever seen. I roll us over, positioning her on top of me, her hair cascading around us like a dark curtain. She looks down at me with hooded eyes.

"Ride me, Addy."

Her hips rise and fall in a rhythmic motion that drives me wild. I can feel her claws grazing my chest as she teases me.

I grip her hips, guiding her movements as she grinds against me. I can feel her climax building, her body tensing around me as she nears the edge. I thrust deeper into her, my third orgasm about to burst.

"Corvus," she moans, my name a plea on her lips. With a final thrust, we both fall over the edge, our bodies convulsing together as our souls bleed into one another.

"Eternally mine," I murmur, my hand clasping the back of her neck tightly.

"Eternally yours," she replies with a slow smile as her eyes flash red and blood pours out of the sockets, stopping me dead in my tracks.